SAG-AFTRA participated in the 10th Annual Music Arts & Technology Business Conference & Showcase Festival, also known as Mondo.NYC, held from October 14 to 17, 2025, in New York City. The event gathered artists and professionals from music, art, and technology sectors to discuss the relationship between business and creativity in entertainment and media.
Jeffrey Bennett, SAG-AFTRA General Counsel, represented the union on a panel titled “NO FAKES: the Current State of A.I. Play” on October 15. Other participants included Suzana Carlos of YouTube, Ben Sheffner from the Motion Picture Association Inc., Jamie Susskind of ACG Advocacy Partner, and Brad Watts from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center. Jessica Richard of RIAA moderated the discussion.
The panel addressed issues related to deepfakes and digital replicas that have become more common in recent years. Participants discussed marketing scams involving artificial intelligence-generated vocal replicas and cover songs as well as memes and other forms of unauthorized digital content. They focused on legislative efforts such as the Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act—a bipartisan bill intended to protect individuals’ voices and likenesses from unauthorized digital use.
Bennett described SAG-AFTRA’s role in working with lawmakers to develop this legislation and its ongoing support for its passage. He explained how the proposed law could help ensure protections for intellectual property rights, copyright holders, and free speech. At the conclusion of the panel, Bennett shared insights gained by SAG-AFTRA through its collaboration with policymakers.
SAG-AFTRA’s advocacy for the NO FAKES Act is part of broader efforts to promote legislative safeguards against misuse of artificial intelligence at both state and federal levels. In April 2024, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland—SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator—testified alongside other experts in support of passing NO FAKES. More information about SAG-AFTRA’s work on AI policy can be found at sagaftra.org/ai.
